Oct 30 2010

Cycling in the Afghan Wakhan

If the trailsnet trails are too tame for you, check out Nanette’s blog, himalayabytricycle. 

These mountain paths are nothing compared to
the one’s in today’s featured blog.

She and her companion’s covered 140km of some incredibly rough terrain and an almost non-existent (at times) road. What makes it even more amazing is that, in addition to some regular bikes, they also used recumbent tricycles.

I don’t know about you, but those streams & rivers sure look cold to me.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/30/cycling-in-the-afghan-wakhan/

Oct 30 2010

Poudre River Trail near Greeley, CO

As always, I started the day feeling rushed.

A fall bike ride on the Poudre River Trail that runs
between Windsor, Colorado & Greeley, CO
I don’t have time for a trail ride.” I thought.
But then, I did a little survey of the things I “had” to get done for the day.
Other than a few quick chores all of them could wait.
On the other hand, it’s almost November, and we’re not going to get many more nice trail days. So I said, “What the heck,” or something like that, and loaded my bike on the car.
I had biked the Poudre River Trail, starting in Greeley, Colorado back in the spring, but I didn’t finish the ride due to trail construction delays.
After about an hour drive, I started my ride near Windsor, Colorado. Once I was on the trail, I was glad I decided to go for a ride. There were just enough other folks on the trail for an occasional friendly greeting, but not enough to feel rushed or crowded. The weather was cool but not cold. Half the time I wore long sleeves, then I shed them and enjoyed the light breeze.
This time, I started my ride in Windsor, Colorado and rode east. It was a terrific ride, and now I can’t wait until they get the eastern portion of the trail connected to the western portion that now runs through part of Fort Collins, Colorado.
Let me know what your last great ride for the fall is. Winter is almost here, so let’s share our final trail stories.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/30/poudre-river-trail-near-greeley-co/

Oct 28 2010

Spiro Agnew quote… huh?

Here is the quote from the “Get Out!” section of today’s newspaper:

“An intellectual is a man who doesn’t know how to park a bike.” – Spiro T. Agnew

Today’s quote is rather puzzling.

Does anybody out there have any idea what that means. The “bike” part of it caught my attention. But after I read it, I was clueless as to what it meant. I need some reader input on this one.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/28/spiro-agnew-quote-huh/

Oct 27 2010

Likes for Bikes

Celebrate biking  & fight
childhood obesity.

Here’s your chance to help fight childhood obesity and get free bicycles to needy children without spending a dime of your own money.

All you have to do is hit the “Like” button on Specialized’s Facebook page. For every 1,000 “Likes,” they’ll donate a bike to a child in need.

It’s easy, it’s free, and it’s for a good cause.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/27/likes-for-bikes/

Oct 26 2010

Hitting the trail may help prevent dementia.

According to a recent long-term University of Pittsburgh study, daily hikes may significantly decrease your risk for dementia. The study, reported in the AARP online journal, showed that those who walked on a daily basis, had a nearly 40% decreased risk of developing dementia.

The Colorado Trail provides
as little or as much hiking as
you could possibly want.
So what does this have to do with trails and trailsnet?
It seems to imply that if you are a trail junky, you are probably decreasing the likelihood of developing dementia in your later years. Although the study was limited to measuring the walking habits of its participants, it is likely that exercise in general, and specifically a regular habit of low-impact exercise is going to pay big benefits in the long run.
So if you’re in the south, jump on the Longleaf Trace trail. If you happen to reside in the northeast, bike on over to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. Those of you in Colorado, hoof it to the Platte River Trail and … well you get the picture. Exercising doesn’t have to be boring or difficult. Find a beautiful trail and get lost in your thoughts and the glory of nature.
Have fun and protect your memory at the same time.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/26/hitting-the-trail-may-help-prevent-dementia/

Oct 25 2010

Ashuelot Spooktacular Halloween trail in New Hampshire

The Keene Pumpkin Festival is over, alas, but the Halloween spirit is still alive in Cheshire County New Hampshire.

As I revealed in my Halloween Trails blog a couple weeks ago, some of the New England rail trails are perfect for spooky bike rides and enchanting hikes. One of the very best halloween-themed rail trails is the Ashuelot Rail Trail that runs from Keene, NH to a ways beyond Winchester, NH.

The trail follows the Ashuelot River and goes past some pretty thought-provoking graveyards, abandoned mills, and downright scary sights. In addition to the permanent fare, such as cemeteries and haunted factories, I was creeped out by a ferocious looking dog. I’m pretty sure his name was Cujo. Fortunately, his bark and vicious looks were worse than his bite, and I escaped w/ a rapidly beating heart, a bruised ego, but no actual attack from the aforementioned demon dog from Hades.

I’m sure there are other spooktacularly haunted trails slithering throughout the kingdom of ethereal delight. But I need your help in finding them. I’ve given some suggestions in the Halloween Trails blog linked above. But w/ All Hallows Eve rapidly approaching, I’d love it if the trailsnet blog readers would share some other hauntilicious trail suggestions.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2010/10/25/ashuelot-spooktacular-halloween-trail-in-new-hampshire/